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John Kurth Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 18, 2025.

The family of John L. Kurth of Villa Park is saddened to announce his passing on Friday, September 12, 2025 at the age of 75 after battling multiple myeloma.

John is lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Debbie; children, Krista (Patrick), Lisa (Joel), Teresa (Kyle); grandchildren, Ian, Connor, Mia, Oliver, Jon Carlo, Guenther; sibling, Christopher (Carla); and many other family members and friends.

John was predeceased by his parents, Guenther and Diana; and sibling, Corinna.

John was born in St. Louis, Missouri. The avid Cardinals fan received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmhurst College (now known as Elmhurst University) and his Masters of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He worked for over 30 years as a special education teacher, retiring from Kirk School (Palatine, Illinois) in 2009. After his retirement he was a volunteer hospital magician with Open Heart Magic (OHM) and performed bedside magic for ill children. He was also actively involved as a board member of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO) Foundation.

A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Saturday, Oct 11; specifics are yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in John's name may be made to Open Heart Magic (www.openheartmagic.org/legacy-and-memorial-gifts/), the NSSEO Foundation (www.nsseo.revtrak.net) or Elmhurst University (www.elmhurst.edu/give).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Recent Activity

Yesterday

Bryan Bolger posted to the memorial.

Yesterday

Rebecca Brandt posted to the memorial.

September 21, 2025

Roy Trost-Rekich posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Bryan Bolger

Yesterday

You are missed by the students and staff at NSSEO's Outdoor Education Center, Sunrise Lake. Your work here as a teacher, volunteer and NSSEO Foundation contributor is a significant loss to our learning community, Sincerely, Team Sunrise.

Rebecca Brandt

Yesterday

Will forever miss you John. A unique person on this planet of ours. John always had a smile,kindness and compassion to share.
Appearing , but not at all,as the absent minded professor,he showed up everyday with a smile and a packed old brown paper bag full of ideas for the day. He always brought his best.He taught everything well,but most of all dignity. His students greatly loved and appreciated him for this.
It was more then an honor and a pleasure to work beside you John. You taught me so much.
He was a gift to all of his students,friends and family.

Much Sympathy and Love to The Kurth family.
Sincerely
Becky Brandt

Roy Trost-Rekich

September 21, 2025

Prayers of comfort to the entire Kurth family, John was so impactful to me being new teacher who took over in his room 227, he was so kind to me, a true mentor at Kirk School! Such an impact-thank you John-role model as teacher, father, husband, and friend!!!

Dave Hahn

September 20, 2025

My deepest condolences to Debbie, Krista, Lisa, and Teresa. John was a special person who taught me many important lessons. It was a honor and privilege to have known him for over forty years. Death is never easy but earth shattering, however the times we shared were marvelous. Thanks, John for being John. I´ll forever remember and miss you.
Dave